Drying storage rack

Abstract

A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a rack component having a first and second ends, first and second sides, and a plurality of foot members, a drain mat supported by the foot members, and a detachable basin attached to a side or end of the rack component. The drain mat includes two sets of positioning members of two distinct lengths on a lower surface. By engaging longer positioning members on one side of the mat and shorter positioning members on the opposite side of the mat, the mat is held in a sloped configuration. The slope may be either toward the integral spout, thereby draining water from the mat, or opposite the integral spout, thereby retaining a substantial amount of water on the mat. The latter configuration permitting the storage rack to be used as a stand alone system.

1 . A drying rack comprising:
 a rack component comprising first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides, an upper surface having a plurality of distinct zones, and a plurality of foot members; and   a drain mat positioned below the rack component and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral wall and a spout, wherein the lower surface comprises a plurality of first positioning members of equal size and a plurality of second positioning members of equal size but shorter than the first positioning members;   wherein the rack component is configured to engage at least some of the first positioning members and at least some of the second positioning members to impart a slope to the substantially planar surface of the drain mat toward one of either the first or second side of the rack component.   
   
   
       2 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a detachable bin attached to an end or side of the rack component. 
   
   
       3 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein at least one first positioning member and at least one second positioning member are situated on the lower surface proximate the spout. 
   
   
       4 . The drying rack of  claim 3 , wherein at least one first positioning member and at least one second positioning member are situated on the lower surface opposite the spout. 
   
   
       5 . The drying rack of  claim 4 , wherein the mat is sloped toward the spout by engaging the rack component with at least one second positioning member proximate the spout and at least one first positioning member opposite the spout. 
   
   
       6 . The drying rack of  claim 4 , wherein the mat is sloped opposite the spout by engaging the rack component with at least one first positioning member proximate the spout and at least one second positioning member opposite the spout. 
   
   
       7 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the mat comprises four first positioning members and four second positioning members. 
   
   
       8 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the foot members of the rack component engage the first positioning members and the second positioning members of the mat. 
   
   
       9 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the rack component comprises a plurality of vertical members. 
   
   
       10 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the planar surface of the drain mat is sloped toward a midline of the surface. 
   
   
       11 . The drying rack of  claim 10 , wherein the spout is positioned in line with the midline of the planar surface. 
   
   
       12 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the drain mat is supported by the foot members. 
   
   
       13 . The drying rack of  claim 2 , wherein the detachable bin comprises a drain opening and a floor contoured to direct fluid toward the drain opening. 
   
   
       14 . The drying rack of  claim 2 , wherein the detachable bin attaches to the rack component and the drain mat is supported by the foot members such that the drain opening of the bin is positioned over the planar surface of the mat. 
   
   
       15 . The drying rack of  claim 2 , wherein the detachable bin comprises a dividing wall which separates the bin into at least two sub-compartments. 
   
   
       16 . The drying rack of  claim 6 , wherein the drain mat will retain a substantial amount of water when sloped opposite the spout. 
   
   
       17 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall has an opening and the spout spans the opening. 
   
   
       18 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the drain mat is shaped to allow the spout to be oriented below any one of the first and second sides and the first and second ends. 
   
   
       19 . The drying rack of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of the first positioning members to the length of the second positioning members is in the range of from about 1.5:1 to about 10:1. 
   
   
       20 . The drying rack of  claim 19 , wherein the ratio of lengths is in the range of from about 2:1 to about 5:1.